Electric snap-switch.



v IVI. GUETT.

ELECTRIC SNAP'SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED 1UNE3.1915.

Patented Deo. 7, 1915.

l 2 SHEETS-SHEETI nNiTnn sTaTns rar-awr carica.

lvIQIilROEGUETT, F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE HART $5 HE-GEMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY,. OF HARTFORDy CONNECTICUT, A CORPOtiA'IO-ii' 0F I CONNECTICUT.

'To 'all whom t may once/1u: i Be it known that i, Monson (i Un'r'r, Ia citizen of the United States, residing at Halt ford, in the county of l'iartford and State of' Connecticut, have invented certain new and` useful Improvements in Electric Snap- Switches, ot' which the following is a specification.'

`This invention relates io'electric snap lo switches, among the principal objects of the invention beingr the provision otl means of a simple and eli'ective character for governing vopposite movements ot' the'switching member of'whatever character thesame may be. As will be inferred, the switching member may be of any desired type; for instance the so-called.cominutator of a snap switch; This switching member or commutator ma): -havc one or more poles as may be required.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part ot' the present specification I have 5i thereof. Fig. 8fis a section on the line represented in detail one 'of the several convenient forms of embodiment of the invention which will be set forth in detail in the following description. I donot limit myself to this disclosure; may departtherefrom in' several respects within the scopey of the invention defined by the claims following said description.

Referring'to said drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a switchinvolving the invention.l Fig. 2 isa section on thevline 2 2 ot' Fig. l iooking in the direction of the arrow, the switching member being-oni Fig. 3 is a Similar view with the switching inember olf," the lower part of thebody being removed. Fig. 4.- is a section vonthe line fle-4 'of Fig.' 3, looking upward :ind showing the stop members or elements in their operative positions, the cam means being inthe neutral position. Fig. 5 is a. siinilar View with the stop members and cam y'means in different positions as shown by yfull and dotted 4lines and as will hereinafter more particularly'appear. Fig. 6 is a. section on the line G-G'of Fig. 2 looking in ther direction of the .arrow and showing `by full lines the spring means tensioned and the parts ,just before the -switching'member is released, the dotted lines showing the direction of movement of .the outside sleeve and the condition of the spring means after snap Amovement has been effected. Fig. 7 is a similar View with the spring "means: 1n the initial condition y ELECTRIC SNAP-SWITCH. v

Specification of Letters Eatent.

retreated nee. a, isis.

Application filed June 3, 1915. Serial No. 31,877.

ot' Fig. 3 looking downward ilinstrative of the detent plate and showing the operative portions of the stop members in diiierent positions.` by larrows the direction` of movement of said operative portions. v

Like characters reier to like parts throughu out the several figures.

As willbe clear my switch comprises in its organization a suitabley switching meniber mounted for back and forth movement. I preferthat this switching member be turnable about an axis by which .l mean to imply that 'it may be rotary step-by-step in one direction or step-by-step in the other direction or that it may be merely7 oscillatory. in tbc present case the switching member is rotary.

The diii'erent parts of the switch maybe mounted in any convenient manne1,'for instance they may be supported upon an insulating base as 2 generally inade of porcelain. The switchingmember shown consists of a commntator denoted in a general way by 3 having as represented two poles or connectors as 4 insulated as yusual from each other and coperative witlicontacts or terminals. as 5 of clip type suitably conn nected with the insulating base or body. As will be understood the pole pieces or conn nectors 1i are snperposed, and it follows a consequence that one pair of contacts is in a higher plane than the other pair ofcontacts. Fastened by screws or etherwise to the-bodyor base 2 is a suitable detent member, the ratchet plate 7 answer ing satisfactorily in this respect. As shown this detent or ratchet me1nber-7 is fastened to the bottom of the cavity 8 inthe upper side of said body 2 approximately centrally thereof. Extending `througlfi and turning in apractically central opening in the datent member or ratchet plate 7 is a spindle as 8, this spindle also turning in the bushin 9 and being held against accidental Withdrawal in some suitable way es by the split ring 10 connected with the ower end there of. Rigid with and rising from the commutator is the tube 11 having as shown the F ig. 9 is a similar View showing the collar or ring 16. The tube 13 and collar 16 are therefore, rigid with each other.

Connected with the upper end of the spindle 8 is the handle 17. The spindle 8 extends through the inner lof the two concentric tubes and is driven through the head 15 of the inner tube. In addition the handle 17 is keyed to the head 15. Inclosed by the inner tube 13 and surrounding the intermediate portion of the turnable spindle S is the coiled spring 1S, the terminal coils of which have outward extensions oi' projections 19 and 20, the projection 19 being above the projection 20. When the spindle and associated parts are in the neutral or idle position at which time the switching member 8 may be either on or off, the coiled spring 18 is under minimum tension, the slots 12 and 14 being in approximate register as shown in' Fig.` 7 and the projections or loutwardly extending terminals ofI the spring bearing against the side walls of the two slots as'shown in Fig. 7. It will be assumed that the handle 17/is turned in the direction of the arrow associated therewith in Fig. 1. As a result thereof the inner 'sleeve 13 will be 'moved in the direction of the-*arrow in Fig. 7 the sleeve as it turns carrying the projection or extension 19 therewith and thus tensioning or winding the spring 18, this action continuing until the projection 19 is almost alined with they projection Q0. During the action in ques,- tion the switching member 3 is heldagainst turning movement, and when the spring isA under the desired tension or when thepro- .jection 19 is nearly alined with the projection 20, the switching member will be re! leased, as will hereinafter more particularly appear, the tube 1]. being also released so that the projection 20 bearing against said tube can move the saine from the full line.

position to the dotted line position-in Fig. 6 following the direction of A,the arrow therein. This particular vview also shows by dotted lines the position of the projection 20 whenv the spring has exercised its snap function. If prior to the operation'in question the switching member or coininutatr be on, it will, be moved to off or vice versa; If the spindle be turned in the direction 'opposite Atothe arrow in Fig. '1, the

procec'lu-re justoutlined will be exactly reversed, the spring 18 'being tensioned or wound by the action of the inner tube 13 upon the projection 20.

The foregoing is a comparatively concise 'description of mechanism with which my improvements may be advantageously associated. As will be inferred from what has already been noted such improvements can bel yemployedwith equal advantage in con junction with other'constructions and so far ai; the improvements themselves are con-- earned, they may .vary in their character,

of the controlling means for the switchingnieinber 3. Asreprescntcd this dctcnt member or ratchet plate 'T has four equidistaiitly disposed teeth 21, 22, 23, and 24. 'l his detent member or ratchet plate cooperates with stop means which as illustrated comprise two stop elements as 25 and 26 piv- `oted at ork near their butts to the under side of the switching member or commutator adjacent to the periphery thereof, these two stop elements being movable toward and from each other. yieldingly forced to vfarycach other in some vsuitable way as bythe brlwed spring 2T. -the fi'eeicnds of the` branches of which tit in notches in the outer shorter arms of the lever like stop members or elements 25. -\s rcpi'esented the active` or operative portions of the duplicate or companion stop elements 23 and 26 consist of depending studs 28 and 2!) near the free ends thereof. These two stop elements and Q6 iii the present case' have a I'iatwise or sliding bearing and guiding engagement against the under tlat surface votithe. body of the switching member 3.

-the cam element 32 which turns with the spindle 8, said actuator or cam as represented having keyways in its opposite sides to receive the lcys 33 of the inner tube 13 AWhich as will be remembered is rigid with said spindle l8. Inf the present case the cam centrally -ilfcceives said spindle S and it has the diametrically opposite lobes oi actuating portions 34. and 35 adapted on .the turning of the spindleS to effect the operation of the stop elements 25 and 26. Normallyl or when theswitchi'iig member or commutatoi is ata state of restthe two actuating portions or -lobes 34 are disposed centrally. between lie fiat surfaces 30 and 31 of th'c two 'stop elements 25 and 26. One stop element controls the movement of the switching member in one direction, while Ithe other stop element serves a similar funcreleasing positions,successively.

stop members. the stop member controlling' the desired motion oi' the switching member heilig moved to releasing.position after the companion stop member is in releasing position.

I. A switch comprising a switching member. a stationary detent. stopinembers movabl supported bv theswitching member and. normally engaging the detent, spring means to applv its eil'eet, to the switching 'membri'. the switching member being oppositelv movable, onestop member controlling the movement ot` the switching men'i'ber in one direction and the other stop member controlling the movement oi the switching member in the opposite direction, means for tensioning the spring means to effect a pre.

detern'iined movement of the switching .member when the same is freed and for movingr to releasing positions the two stop members, and means for returning the stop members auton'iaticall)v to operative positions.

4. A switch eon'iprising a switching member` a stationarvY detent, stopmembers pivotally supported by the switching member and normally engaging the detent, springmeans to apply its ettect to the switching member, the switching membe'i being oppositely movable, one stop men'iber controlling the movement oi'the switching member in one direction and the other stop member controlling the movement of the switehingh member in the oppositedirection, means for tensioning the spring means to efl'ect the predetermined movement of the switching member when the saine is treed and for also moving to releasing position that stop memv ber controlling the desired motion ot' the 4Switching member; and spring means acting constantly to hold the stop members in operativel positions. v

A switch comprising fi switching member. a. spindle, spring means between the spindle and the switching member, a detent, and stop members on the switching member engaging the detent, thel spindle being 1 adapted when turned in either direction to tension the spring means and having means when thus turned to move the stop members"successivehy to releasing positions, the spring means when the stop members are in releasing imsitionsacting against the switching member to -impart a snap movement thereto.

ber turnable about an axis, a spindle ex i tending through the switching member. a

switch comprising a switching mem tent. lhe spindle being adapted when turned,

in either direction to tension the spring means and having means whenthus turned to move the stop members to releasing positions, the spring means when the stop membei's are in releasing positions acting against the. switching member to impart a snap imivement thereto. l

T. A switch ycoinprisimg: a switching member. a spindle extending through the switching niemher.,spring means between the spin dle and the switching member, a stationary yiletent. through which the lspindle extends. and slop members engaging the detent and carried bv the switching member, said stop members controlling respective opposite movements oi the switching member. the spindle being adapted when turned in either direction to tension the spring means and having means when thusl turned to move the stop members to releasing positions, the

spring means when the stop members are in releasing position acting against the switching member to impart a snap movement thereto. i v

S. .X switch comprising a switching membci'. a stationary detent supported independentl ot the switching member, pivoted stop members supported b v the switching member and normall)v engaging the dev one stop nieniber controlling they movement:l

of the switching member in one direction and the other stop member controlling the movement of the switching member m the opposite direction. a spindle, springtmeans between the spindle and the switching mem-- bei'. the spindle being adapted when turned in either (.lii'ect-ion lto tension. the spring means and having means when turned lto eli'ectthe movement ofthe stop member controlling the predetermined movement of the switching member to releasing position. the.

spring means when tensioned on the release ot' the switching member being ada ted te impart a. snap movement to said switching imember. i

10. An electric switch comprising 'a 'Stm' tionary detent, the body of whichis approximately circular and is provided Withl several teeth', e switching; member located 4et .one side ofthe detent and oppositelv movable about an exis, :t spindle extending through the switching member andA the detent, stop members pivotally mounted on the switching member end Vthe operative portions of which engage teeth accidentel movement of the switching member, a spring between the stop members to hold the seme normally in active or restreining relation, one stop member controlling the movement. of the switching member in one direction and the other stop member controlling the member in the other direction, e spring 1nterposed between andv connected respectivelywith the-spindle and With the switching member and adaptedilto be initizilly ten-l sioned by the spindle when the spindle is turned in either direction, and e cam rigid with 'the spindle for moving the stop members to releesing positions after the initial tensioning of the spring, the stop member which controls the particular movement of the switching member being last released,

11. An electric switch comprising e detent locatedu at one si ofthe detent to prevent.

movement of the svv'itchinngl having peripheral. eeth, switching member de of the detent and opmoviible about en exis, e spindle extending through the switching member and the detent, stop members movebly mounted on the switchingr member and the operetive portions of which engage teeth of the detent to prevent accidentel movement of lthe switching member, one stop member controllingl the movement of the switching member in one direction rand the other stop member controlling the movement of the switching member in the other direction, e spring interposed between the spindle and the switching' member and adapted to be 4init'mlly tensioned by the spindle when the same'is turned in either di'- rection, end e cem lrigid With the spindle for moving the stop members to releasing positions after the initial tensioning of the spring. 1

In testimony whereof I eflix my signature in presence oic two Witnesses.

Monson' eimrr.

positely 

